“The Reward & Inheritance Factor” Pt 7
(The Fatherhood of God Message 21)
X. The Reward and Inheritance Factor
A. PRESENT AND FUTURE REWARD
B. FUTURE INHERITANCE
C. INTERMEDIATE HOME
D. RENEWED HEAVEN AND EARTH
1. The physical aspects of life on the new earth
2. The social and personal aspects of life on the new earth
3. Spiritual aspects of life on the new earth
Present earth seems more physical with some spiritual aspects. Present heaven seems more spiritual with some physical aspects. On the New Earth, the physical world and the spiritual world will be perfectly integrated. Paul wrote of the “the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.” Ephesians 1:10
Our perceptions will include both the physical world and the spirit world. What some only caught momentary glimpses of, we will see as a matter of course. Like a blind person aware of but unable to see the world around Him, we are unable to see the spiritual realities surrounding us. On the new earth, our eyes will be opened to see and experience both worlds equally.
a) Sinless existence
We will no longer struggle with the flesh. We will no longer make sinful choices.
We will continually exhibit the character of Christ. We will be like Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 1 John 3:2
No distractions. Evil thoughts won’t interfere with praise and conversation with God. Never will we be irritated or bored or tired. Selfishness and evil motives will not hamper any of our relationships. Our God-given desire for pleasure, possessions and prominence with be continually satisfied as God intended.
b) Significant yet growing knowledge of God
All the inhabitants of earth will possess a remarkable knowledge of God.
The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Hab 2:14
They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:34
No creature is omniscient. No one will know everything. We will all have a significant knowledge base of God to build on through eternity. “Knowing” conveys intimate relationship.
Directly following Peter’s description of the New Heaven and Earth he urged his readers to be on guard against error that would disturb their spiritual stability. Then he urged them to continually increase in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
We will know and increase our knowledge of God through the ages.
c) The physical presence of Christ
As glorious as the environment of heaven and the new earth will be, the central point will be the glorified Jesus. Heaven without Jesus would not be heaven. Heaven without Jesus would be like going to the honeymoon without the groom. The central focus will be the relationship with Jesus. The glorious environment will seem as incidental to being with Jesus as the place settings on the table at a dinner with the King. John saw many things in his visions of heave but his most descriptive is his vision of Jesus.
Jesus promised His presence would always be with the disciples.
…I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20
Jesus promised that even though He would be physically absent for a time, they would be together again.
If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:3
There are obviously two different meanings to “with” in these two verses. The resurrected Christ interfaced with Paul on at least a couple occasions. He was aware of His spiritual presence throughout his ministry.
And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city." Acts 18:9-10
Yet Paul longed to be physically with Christ.
But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; Philippians 1:23
Jesus prayed that we would be with Him in a physical see to see Him in all His glory.
"Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24
The Father will answer that prayer. We will be in the physical presence of Jesus. How will millions of people enjoy personal physical relationship with Jesus? Randy Alcorn deals with this issue after it became one of the questions most often raised after the first edition of his book. That prompted him to include a section in subsequent editions to address it. (Page 189)
d) Physical encounter with God
We know that God is spirit and Jesus said no man has seen God at anytime. (John 1)
Paul painted an awesome picture of God.
who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. 1 Timothy 6:16
Moses encountered a frightening manifestation of God’s glory.
The people begged not to hear from God.
Some have seen manifestations; smoke, fire, a voice, earth quakes, thunder.
Somehow Adam walked with God in the cool of the day before the fall.
Abraham talked with God face to face as friend to friend.
David longed to see Him.
One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple. Psalms 27:4
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Psalms 63:1-2
Revelation is very clear about God living among us as well as the resurrected Christ. Not just occasional visits but a permanent dwelling among us.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, Revelation 21:3
The emphasis is “God Himself” will live among men. Not a delegate or representative but God Himself. It was promise long before. Just as Jesus took on flesh and dwelt among us, the Father will make His capital on the New Earth and what we have up to this point take by faith will actually become sight.
'Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. 'I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. Leviticus 26:11-12
"I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever. "My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. "And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.""' Ezekiel 37:26-28
There will be a physical relationship with God.
There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:3-5
Such and encounter with God will inspire compelling worship in the fullest sense of the word.
Worship is the response of the heart of man to the revelation of God.
e) Compelling worship
Worship will be both personal and public. Spontaneous expressions of awe and gratitude
Heartfelt expressions of devotion and adoration. Verbal, physical, instrumental, vocal.
Art, music, service, words, non-verbal expressions will flow from deep felt devotion.
These will be individual and corporate. There will be massive choirs of God’s creatures both human and angelic. Listen to one such gathering. Revelation 4:8-11 Revelation 5:8-14
f) Recipients of God’s service
Jesus painted a very strange but wonderful kingdom seen. Luke 12:35-38 Isaiah 25:6-10
g) Intimate relationship with Christ
As great as relationship with each other will be, the greatest thing about life on the new earth will be unrestricted relationship with Christ. The desire for intimacy with Christ that lies at core of every believer’s heart will find its ultimate fulfillment. All the songs we have ever sung about relationship with Jesus will reflect a new reality. The church is the bride of Christ.
He died for us. He prays for us. He prepares us. He is making a place for us. All so we will enjoy the most intimate of relationship we have every dreamed of. Somehow we will all as a group know intimate relationship with Jesus. Just as in a marriage relationship, there will probably be fluctuating intensities of intimacy. Incidental to intimate. Spoken to silent.
Times of casual talking while walking through the garden. Intense conversations about life.
Deeply engaging dialogue that inspires, encourages, affirms and elates us.
We are all invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Guess what? We are the chosen bride.
We are now in the betrothal or engagement period getting ready for a lifetime of relationship with Christ as His chosen bride. Soon He will come for His bride. We are getting ready for our marriage. The wedding dress is not yet prepared.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Revelation 19:7-8
Yes we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ but we are also charged with preparing with righteous acts. Will be a tattered bride or one clothed with fine linen bright and clean? We do know that some will shrink away in shame at His coming. May it not be us. May we dressed and ready for the most important day in our life; the beginning of eternity in absolutely fulfilling relationship with the one we have served, talked to, studied, longed for, trusted in and now wait.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9
